New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-04
turns that H. be must recognise the Certificates Of Leu
tenant Jones and Speaker 9usted 70 the eee
that the clerks had performed seven day. labor a. truth
THE GAS QUESTION IN BROOKLYN.

THE GAS QUESTION IN BROOKLYN.
AN ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF A COMMISSION FOR
REGULATING THE PRICE.
ALBANY, Feb. 3.-The Senate Cities Committee to-day
heard argument Mr. Grswolds bill fixing the price Of
gas In Brooklyn at 81 so thousand cubic feet Ex-
Assemblyman II. d. Hotchkiss argued that oneha tho
capital Of the Brooklyn gas companies was
water. The average cost Of making coal gas in New
York in 1883 was sixty cents. Mr. Hotchkss produced
contract in which the Fulton Company agreed to
sell him gas at 81 and declared that this
the price until the company combined
with tho Nassau Company and restored 1t
So The cost Of gas in Philadelphia he said is III co.
in Boston 81 So Cleveland 81 40 Washington 81 so and
in San Francisco 81 So Three Of the Brooklyn companies
do not make their but buy OF the Fulton Company
at 76 cents TO sell. to their customers.
Ex-senator +. B. Thomas, who was chairman OF the
committee which Investigated the NewYOrk gas COM
panes In the winter Of 1885, appeared the attorney Of
the Brooklyn gas companies and made an argu
meDt against the bills He claimed that there was
demand In Brooklyn for such legislation, and that the
people did not complain that the present price of 81
thousand cubic feet, too high He said that rate In
Brooklyn did not afford much profit 81 rs in New
York. He added:
1t at the outsar be stated that policy OF imposing by
direct enactment standard price for gas and HDgynS @
equitable in practice \ has not been done in ,h. state
in z: g
ssS 81 the
fairly discriminate in that Instance and tina! some
Brooklyn or one company every 2G 600
Ss ~S Co s
tai for 900 population 0o4 g. BROOKLYN capital
eSI u1US 70 FOR T
10 s as o
%ss the actual sum paid s sp, asoEun D ss c
ea St iH s5Ss is capita
iraton in New York is SIT Al and In Brooklyn SIG H.
k1ypc IAN
feet o the last 80 population
wse as large the consumption Of gas T 9s sa%s year
of distribution in Brooklyn This was convincing
The Brooklyn companies. for the service. have
twice the number Of miles OF mains to construct ana
Ign at SO not he said largo per capita tax as at
81 25 in New York In Brooklyn It would be 81 90; In
theory Of relieving the people from taxation the
rate IN Brooklyn is farer for that city aR te sa
Companies do not now and for years have not paid
dividends usually regarded as allowable me DIVIDENDS
for ten years OF Brooklyn companies arc as follows
citizens Gas Light Company. 4o5 per cent
Metropolitan Gas Light Company 1ao 4"
PsSeiss o csn T%6s COMPANY 4s
Fulton Municipal Gas Company tbeen in
wifa@sSars Gas Light Company. ............. ~
Brooklyn Gas Light Company ....'.........-.. lo.V
Average per cent for ten years. 81
In New-York the dividends very much higher, 80
per cent in some cases At the reduced rates the return
would only be 50 100 per cent on the aggregate capital
The prices the stocks indicate that the earnings are IN
sufficient.
In concluding his address Mr.. Thomas said
These companies are wiling submit this whole question
place Themselves under proper commission that ths
Legislature provide They consent that such coms
sion shall have the TO fix the price OF gas hav
due reference TO proper pront measure
ia now bending before the Senate for the APP
pOintment Commission to supervise the affairs oil
companies the provisions OF that bill are incom
pte do hesitate 10 both as regards me pubic
and companies should be In several amended;
but with such elaboration OF might appear proper the
companies represent willing To accept IT, Moreover
willing such commission the power TO Tx the